Mouthguard and lipguard assembly

ABSTRACT

A protective assembly having a mouthguard adapted to protect a user&#39;s teeth, a lipguard for protecting the user&#39;s lips releasably connectable to the mouthguard, and a tether strap releasably connectable to the lipguard and having an additional portion connectable to a point of the user&#39;s equipment, for example a facemask of a helmet. The mouthguard can have a standard form or be manufactured as a custom-fitted molding.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective assembly comprising a mouthguard adapted to protect a user's teeth, a lipguard for protecting the user's lips releasably connectable to the mouthguard, and a tether strap releasably connectable to the lipguard and/or directly to the mouthguard and having an additional portion connectable to a part of the user's equipment, for example a facemask of a helmet. The mouthguard can have a standard form or be manufactured as a custom-fitted molding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mouthguards are worn by a user, in particular an athlete, during a competition or sporting activity, for example during a game or practice, in order to reduce the chance of injury and to protect the teeth and gums. Often, mouthguards are worn while playing football which includes physical contact between players during almost every play, that can result in one or more teeth being broken, chipped, cracked, or even knocked out.

Mouthguards can be classified in one manner as tethered or untethered. Untethered mouthguards generally consist of the mouthguard per se. Tethered mouthguards can be utilized in situations where the competition includes protective equipment, such as a helmet or other headgear. Providing the mouthguard with a tether that can be connected to a portion of the user's equipment reduces the chance that the mouthguard will be lost or mistaken for another user's mouthguard. Another advantage of a tethered mouthguard is that the tether can be utilized to insert and remove the mouthguard so that germs from a user's hand do not contact the mouthguard that it is inserted to a person's mouth to prevent illness or disease.

Many different types of tethered mouthguards are known in the art, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,485,242, 4,997,905, 5,234,005, 5,353,810, 5,365,946, 5,692,523, 5,755,233, D496,498, 7,353,828, 7,708,018, 8,074,658, D663,485 and U.S. Publication Nos. 2012/0111343 and 2012/0279506.

Still other tethered mouthguards include a lip protector. U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,025 to Greenberg relates to a plastic guard of general U-shape and channel cross-section for insertion in the mouth to receive a set of teeth including a strap extending from the outer lower anterior portion of the guard and a protector for the lips and the surrounding facial areas slidable on the strap and frictionally retainable thereon in adjusted position to accommodate different lip thicknesses and jaw formations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide a protective assembly comprising a mouthguard releasably connected to a lipguard, the lipguard releasably connected, on a second side opposite the first side connected to the mouthguard, to a tether strap that can be connected to a user's equipment, for example a part of a helmet such as a facemask. Release or separation between two components occurs when a threshold retention force is exceeded.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tether strap with a male fitting that has a dimensional size that is smaller, preferably having a head that is slightly smaller in width and height, than a head of a male fitting of the lipguard, which allows an assembly comprising the tether strap male fitting operatively connected to the lipguard female fitting to have a lower threshold retention force when compared to the threshold retention force of an assembly comprising the male fitting of the lipguard operatively connected to the female fitting of the mouthguard thereby allowing the tether strap to release from the lipguard quicker than release of the male fitting of the lipguard from the female fitting of the mouthguard, for example when a protective device, such as a helmet, to which the tether strap is operatively connected is pulled off during use, thereby allowing the lipguard and mouthguard to remain connected in place for protection.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tether strap directly connected to the mouthguard, wherein the relatively small size or relevant dimensions of the male fitting of the tether strap allow for release or separation between the tether strap and mouthguard at a lower threshold retention force in comparison to the threshold retention force present between the male fitting of the lipguard and the female fitting of the mouthguard.

Yet a further object is to provide an assembly wherein the dimensions of the female fitting of the lipguard can be adjusted in comparison to the female fitting of the mouthguard in order to ensure that the tether strap is released from the lipguard prior to the lipguard being released from the mouthguard due to differences in retention force.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a protective assembly including a mouthguard, a lipguard, and a tether strap, wherein at least two of the components include a male fitting adapted to mate with a female fitting present on at least two of the components. In a preferred embodiment, the lipguard includes both a male fitting and a female fitting, with one of the fittings connectable to the mouthguard and the other to the tether strap.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mouthguard comprising at least two different components, for example a body and an insert that are permanently connected, wherein the insert is structured to be releasably connected to a lipguard.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mouthguard that can be releasably connected to a lip protector by a single attachment point, whereby the lip protector is maintained at a fixed distance from the mouthguard under a normal condition, wherein external forces are not placing stress on one of the components in a direction toward the other component.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lip protector having a boss extending outwardly from a first side and having an end including a male fitting. Additionally, the lip protector includes a second side with a female fitting extending inwardly into the body of the lip protector and into the boss on the first side of the lip protector, adapted for accepting a portion of a tether strap.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, a protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly is disclosed, comprising a mouthguard having an outer wall connected to a tray adapted to contact one or more teeth of a user, the mouthguard outer wall having a first, outer surface including a female fitting; a lipguard having a first side adapted to face a user, the first side including a male fitting adapted to be removably insertable into the female fitting of the mouthguard and retained by a friction fit, the mouthguard having a second side including a female fitting; and a tether strap having a first end including a male fitting removably insertable into the female fitting of the lipguard and retained by a friction fit.

In another aspect of the invention, a protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly is disclosed, comprising a mouthguard having an outer wall and an inner wall connected by a tray adapted to contact one or more teeth of a user, the mouthguard having a first, outer surface including a female fitting; a lipguard having a first side adapted to face a user, the first side including a boss having a male fitting adapted to be removably insertable into the female fitting of the mouthguard and connected until a first threshold retention force is exceeded, the mouthguard having a second side including a female fitting; and a tether strap having a first end including a male fitting removably insertable into the female fitting of the lipguard and connected until a second threshold retention force is exceeded, wherein the second threshold retention force is lower than the first threshold retention force.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly is disclosed, comprising a mouthguard having an outer wall and an inner wall connected by a tray adapted to contact one or more teeth of a user, the mouthguard having a first surface including a male fitting; a lipguard having a first side adapted to face a user, the first side including a female fitting into which the male fitting of the mouthguard is insertable and adapted to be retained until a threshold retention force is exceeded, the lipguard having a second side including a male fitting; and a tether strap having a first end including a female fitting into which the male fitting of the lipguard is removably insertable and retained until a second threshold retention force is exceeded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent by reading the detailed description of the invention, taken together with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the mouthguard and lipguard assembly of the present invention including a mouthguard releasably connected to a lipguard which in turn is releasably connected to a tether strap;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 particularly illustrating male fittings present on the lipguard and tether strap;

FIG. 3 a is a front right perspective view of one embodiment of a mouthguard of the present invention particularly illustrating a female recess;

FIG. 3 b is a right rear perspective view of the mouthguard illustrated in FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 c is a cross-sectional side view of the mouthguard illustrated in FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 a is a right rear perspective view of one embodiment of a lipguard of the present invention particularly illustrating one embodiment of a boss including a male fitting;

FIG. 4 b is a front left perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 4 c is a cross-sectional view through the central portion of the lipguard illustrated in FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5 a is a right rear perspective view of one embodiment of a tethered strap of the present invention;

FIG. 5 b is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 6 a is a front left perspective view of one embodiment of an insert for a mouthguard; and

FIG. 6 b is a left rear view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 a;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mouthguard of the present invention having an insert fixedly connected thereto, wherein the insert includes a female fitting adapted to accept a male fitting of a lipguard or a tether strap;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 with the tether strap connected to a portion of a protective device, in particular a portion of a face mask; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a mouthguard and lipguard assembly of the present invention including a lipguard having a female fitting on a first side adapted to face a user and a tether strap also including a female fitting, said female fittings adapted to be connected to male fittings on the mouthguard and the second side of the lipguard, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a right rear perspective view of a mouthguard and lipguard assembly 10 including a mouthguard 20 operatively and releasably connected to a lipguard 40, that is in turn operatively connected to a tether strap 60. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1 particularly illustrating a male fitting 45 present on the lipguard 40 and a male fitting 65 on tether strap 60.

FIGS. 3 a to 3 c illustrate one embodiment of a mouthguard 20 of the present invention. The mouthguard 20 includes a generally U-shaped body 22 having an outer, labial wall 24 and an inner, lingual wall 26 interconnected by a channel or tray 28 adapted to receive the user's teeth. In particular, some or all of the user's upper teeth are accommodated on the upper surface of tray 28 and some or all of the user's lower teeth may contact the lower surface of the tray 28 when the mouthguard 20 is in use.

The front surface 29 of the outer wall 24 includes a female fitting 30, for example in the form of a recess or socket, that accepts and releasably accommodates a male fitting 45 of the lipguard 40 as described further herein. Preferably the shape of the female fitting 30 generally conforms to and/or accepts the desired shape of the male fitting 45 of the lipguard 40 inserted thereinto.

In order to create a releasable or breakaway connection between the mouthguard 20 and lipguard 40, the open end or aperture 32 of the female fitting 30 allows the head 46 of the male fitting 45 to pass into and out of the female fitting 30 with a desired resistance. Stated in another manner, a friction fit is formed between the mouthguard 20 and lipguard 40, in particular between female fitting 30 and male fitting 45. Connection between the male fitting 45 and the female fitting 30 is broken once a threshold retention force is exceeded. Fitting inner wall 34 is sized and shaped to accommodate the head 46 of male fitting 45 after insertion and in some embodiments has a greater volume than the male fitting to facilitate the desired release requirements between the mouthguard 20 and lipguard 40 of the assembly 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the fitting inner wall 34 includes a restriction 36, generally a narrowing of the fitting wall 34, adapted to contact the barb 48 on the head 46 of the male fitting 45 and thus retain the lipguard 40 until the threshold retention force is exceeded, at which time the lipguard 40 is separated from the mouthguard 20. In one embodiment of the invention, the aperture 32 of female fitting 30 is generally horizontally oriented and restriction 36 extends outwardly relative to the aperture at an angle of from about 10° to about 50°, preferably from about 20° to about 40°, and most preferably at an angle of about 30° in order to accommodate head 46 of male fitting and provide the desired retention force. In one embodiment, the female fitting has a depth, measured horizontally, that ranges generally from about 3 to about 15 mm, desirably from about 4 to about 12 mm, and preferably from about 6 to about 10 mm.

The mouthguard 20 of the present invention can be formed from one or more different materials and also can comprise one or more layers in order to achieve a desired structure for a user. Various materials are known in the art that can be utilized including, but not limited to, thermoplastics, rubbers and thermoplastic elastomers such as polyolefin polymers and copolymers for example polyethylene, and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); thermoplastic polyurethanes; nylons; olefin block copolymers; styrenic block copolymers, and the like, and blends or combinations thereof. The mouthguard can incorporate various additives such as known to those of ordinary skill in the art, for example antimicrobial agent, softeners, fillers, colorants, stabilizers, flavorants, and combinations thereof. In various other embodiments, the mouthguard can include electronics that can measure and/or relay information such as impact forces, directions of impacts, and body temperatures.

The mouthguard 20 of the present invention can be a non-custom or standard unit in which the mouthguard is formed of a standard size, generally including a tray and is not fitted to a particular user's teeth. The mouthguard is injection molded in one embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthguard 20 is a custom-fitted unit modified to have indentations of the particularly user's teeth impressed therein by any suitable process. For example, the mouthguard can be formed in one embodiment by immersing the mouthguard in boiling water, removing it while it is formable, placing over the user's teeth or a mold of the user's teeth to form teeth impressions therein and thereafter allowing it to cool or immersing the mouthguard in cold water to fix or set the impressions in the tray. In a further embodiment, the mouthguard can be formed by pressure laminating the insert in between layers of dental plastics over dental casts formed from dental impression molds.

One embodiment of the lipguard 40 is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 4 a through 4 c of the invention. Lipguard 40 generally has an arcuate shape and may also be made of the same or a different material as mouthguard 20. Thus, the lipguard 40 can be formed from one or more different materials and also can comprise one or more layers in order to provide a desired structure. The materials listed hereinabove for the mouthguard 20 are herein incorporated by reference. The lipguard is injection molded in a preferred embodiment. The lipguard 40 includes a generally concave rear or first side 42 and a convex front or second side 50. Lipguard 40 is designed to cover the upper and lower vermillion and adjacent tissues. When the lipguard 40 is mounted on the mouthguard 20, the concave rear, first side 42 faces toward the mouthguard 20 and the convex, front, second side 50 faces away from the mouthguard 20 and generally towards tether strap 60.

The first side 42 of lipguard 40 includes a post or boss 44 extending outwardly, generally from the central portion of first side 42. Boss 44 includes a distal end comprising a protrusion or male fitting 45 adapted to releasably mate with female fitting 30 of mouthguard 20. Male fitting 45 includes a head 46 at a distal end connected by neck 47, narrower in both vertical height and lateral width than the head 46, to the main body of boss 44. The head 46 includes a barb 48 that contacts the restriction 36 and provides the friction fit. Boss 44 also includes a seat 49 that is adapted to contact front surface 29 of mouthguard 20 when the lipguard 40 is operatively connected to mouthguard 20. In order to provide a desired spacing between body 41 of lipguard 40 and the front surface 29 of mouthguard 20, for example such that the lips of the user can be accommodated, the height or length of the boss between first side 42 and seat 49 of lipguard 40 ranges generally from about 5 to about 15 millimeters, desirably from about 7 to about 13 millimeters and preferably is from about 9 to about 11 millimeters measured perpendicular to the plane of the body at the area of connection to the boss. Neck 47 can have a vertical height that ranges generally from about 0.5 to about 8 mm, desirably from about 1 to about 5 mm, and preferably is about 2.54 mm. The length of neck 47 ranges generally from about 1 to about 10 mm, desirably from about 2 to about 6 mm, and preferably from about 3 to about 5 mm. The head 46 has a length, generally measured horizontally, that ranges generally from about 0.5 to about 10 mm, desirably from about 1 to about 5 mm, and preferably from about 1.5 to about 3.5 mm. The maximum vertical height of the head 46 is at least 10% greater, desirably at least 25% greater, and preferably at least 45% greater than the vertical height of the neck.

The front or second side 50 of lipguard 40 includes a recess or female fitting 52 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 b and 4 c generally located on the opposite side of boss 44 or first side 42. The depth of female fitting 52 extends into a portion of boss 44, in some embodiments. Similar to female fitting 30 of mouthguard 20, the female fitting 52 of lipguard 40 is in the form of a recess or socket that accepts and releasably accommodates a male fitting, in particular male fitting 65 of tether strap 60. In order to create the releasable connection between lipguard 40 and tether strap 60, the open end or aperture 53 of female fitting 52 allows the head 66 of male fitting 65 to pass into and out of the female fitting with the desired resistance. Inner wall 54 is shaped to accommodate head 66 of fitting 65 and in some embodiments has a greater volume then the male fitting 65 to facilitate the desired release requirements between the lipguard 40 and tether strap 60 of assembly 10. In one embodiment the female fitting 52 of lipguard 40 and female fitting 30 of mouthguard 20 have identical dimensions. In a further embodiment, the one or more dimensions are within 80%, 90%, or 95% of each other.

In some embodiments, the female fitting 52 of lipguard 40 is dimensionally larger than the female fitting 30 of mouthguard 20 in order to ensure release of the tether strap 60 from the lipguard 40 prior to releasing the lipguard 40 from the mouthguard 20, due to differences in retention force based on the relative sizes of the male and female fittings.

When it is desirable to provide different retention forces between the mouthguard and lipguard and the lipguard and tether strap, the dimensions of one or more of the two female fittings and two male fittings are varied.

In one embodiment, the inner wall 54 of lipguard 40 includes a restriction 56, which is generally a narrowing of the fitting wall, preferably near the open end or aperture 53 and is adapted to contact the barb 68 on head 66 of the male fitting 65 and thus retain the tether strap 60 in contact with the lipguard 40 until a threshold retention force is exceeded, at which time the lipguard and tether strap are disconnected.

One embodiment of a tether strap 60 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b. The tether strap includes a first end 62 and a second end 64. First end 62 includes a projection or male fitting 65 adapted to releasably mate with the female fitting 22 of lipguard 40, or in some embodiments the female fitting 30 of mouthguard 20. The second end 64 includes a closed loop 70 that allows the first end 62 to be inserted therethrough in order form a second closed loop to tether the tether strap 60 to, for example, a portion of a helmet, such as a bar of the facemask. Seat 69 has a width and height greater than the open end or aperture 53 of female fitting 52 and therefore acts as a stop and prevents the first end 62 from being inserted further into the female fitting 52.

The tether strap 60 can be formed from one or more different materials, in one or more layers. Various materials utilized in the art include, but are not limited to, thermoplastics, rubbers, and thermoplastic elastomers such as, but not limited to those described above with respect to mouthguard 20, herein incorporated by reference. The tether strap is injection molded in a preferred embodiment.

As indicated hereinabove, in one embodiment the male fitting 65 of tether strap 60 is dimensionally smaller in size than the male fitting 45 of lipguard 40 to facilitate release of the first end 62 of tether strap 60 from the female fitting 52 of lipguard 40 when compared to the release of male fitting 45 of lipguard 40 from female fitting 30 of mouthguard 20. This feature allows the mouthguard to stay in place below the threshold retention force between the lipguard 40 and mouthguard 20 and thereby continued protection of the lips of the user. Stated in another manner, the threshold retention force between the male fitting 65 of tether strap 60 and the female fitting 52 of lipguard 40 is lower in a preferred embodiment than the threshold retention force between the male fitting 45 of lipguard 40 and female fitting 30 of mouthguard 20. That said, in the embodiment where the male fitting 65 of tether strap 60 is dimensionally smaller in size than the male fitting 45 of lipguard 40, one or more of the applicable dimensions of the male fitting, including, but not limited to, vertical height of the head, vertical height of the neck, horizontal width of the head or horizontal width of the neck can be varied for example and can have a difference of at least 3%, desirably at least 5%, and preferably greater than or equal to 10%.

Due to the releasable friction fit between the first end 62 of tether strap 60 and the female fitting 52 of lipguard 40, once a threshold retention force is exceeded, the tether strap 60 is withdrawn from the female fitting 52 of lipguard 40.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b illustrate one embodiment of an insert 80 that can be utilized in conjunction with mouthguard 20. FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of insert 80 connected to mouthguard 20. The insert includes a female fitting having an aperture 84 leading to an inner wall 86. One or more projections 88 are present on an inner surface of the insert to aid in securing the insert to mouthguard 20. The outer surface of insert 80 generally has a convex shape, while the inner surface has a generally concave shape or appearance and further includes the inner wall 86 and one or more projections 88. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the one or more projections 88 are adapted to have the upper surface thereof placed against a lower surface of the mouthguard so that a reliable fit can be achieved in each case.

The insert can be formed from one or more materials as described hereinabove. The insert 80 is used in custom mouthguards fabricated from thermoforming dental plastics over dental cast of varying stones and plasters made from an individual's mouth using dental impression materials to form a mold. Preferably a single sheet of dental plastic is thermoformed over the dental cast. The insert is attached to the first formed layer on the incisal edge of the anterior teeth at the midline. Then a second layer of dental plastic is formed over the first layer with the attached insert, seal or laminating the insert between the two layers of plastics. Additional layer(s) of dental material then can be added if necessary. The formed layers of the dental material are then trimmed and formed in a mouthguard form. The layers of formed dental plastic that sealed or laminated the insert between the layers of dental plastics are cut away from the aperture 84 in the attachment to restore the female fitting 82 of the insert allowing the lip guard 40 and/or the tether strap 60 to be attached to the insert-containing mouthguard 20.

FIG. 8 illustrates assembly 10 of the present invention including mouthguard 20 connected to lipguard 40 which in turn is connected to tether strap 60. The second end 64 of tether strap 60 is illustrated looped around a portion of a user's equipment, in particular a portion of a face mask 90.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention wherein mouthguard 20 is provided with a male fitting 38 projecting outwardly from the front surface 29. Male fitting 38 of mouthguard 20 is releasably matable with the female fitting 52 of lipguard 40 which, in this embodiment, is located on first side 42 of lipguard 40. Female fitting 52 is located on boss 44 in this embodiment. As also illustrated in FIG. 9, the male fitting 45 is located on the second side of lipguard 40 and releasably mates with the female fitting 72 present on tether strap 60 at first end 62.

In accordance with the patent statutes, the best mode and preferred embodiment have been set forth; the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly, comprising: a mouthguard having an outer wall connected to a tray adapted to contact one or more teeth of a user, the mouthguard outer wall having a first, outer surface including a female fitting; a lipguard having a first side adapted to face a user, the first side including a male fitting adapted to be removably insertable into the female fitting of the mouthguard and retained by a friction fit, the mouthguard having a second side including a female fitting; and a tether strap having a first end including a male fitting removably insertable into the female fitting of the lipguard and retained by a friction fit.
 2. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mouthguard further includes an inner wall, wherein the outer wall and the inner wall are connected by the tray, and wherein the lipguard first side includes a boss extending outwardly from the first side and wherein the male fitting is connected to a distal end of the boss.
 3. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 2, wherein the male fittings of the tether strap and lipguard each have a head having a greater vertical height than a neck.
 4. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 3, wherein the head of the male fitting of the tether strap is smaller than the head of the male fitting of the lipguard such that less force is required to remove the male fitting of the tether strap from the female fitting of the lipguard as compared to removing the male fitting of the lipguard from the female fitting of the mouthguard.
 5. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 4, wherein the tether strap has a second end including a loop, wherein the tether strap first end includes a seat to which the neck is connected whereby the seat is dimensionally larger than an aperture of the female fitting such that the seat contacts the second side of the lipguard when the male fitting of tether strap is inserted into the female fitting of the lipguard, and wherein the lipguard first end includes a seat to which the neck is connected whereby the seat is dimensionally larger than an aperture of the mouthguard female fitting such that the seat contacts the outer side of the mouthguard when the male fitting of the lipguard is inserted into the female fitting of the mouthguard.
 6. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first side of the lipguard has a concave shape and the second side of the lipguard has a convex shape, and wherein the boss has a length between the first side and the seat of the lipguard that ranges from about 5 to about 15 mm.
 7. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first, outer surface including a female fitting is present on an insert that is fixedly connected to a front surface of the mouthguard.
 8. A protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly, comprising: a mouthguard having an outer wall and an inner wall connected by a tray adapted to contact one or more teeth of a user, the mouthguard having a first, outer surface including a female fitting; a lipguard having a first side adapted to face a user, the first side including a boss having a male fitting adapted to be removably insertable into the female fitting of the mouthguard and connected until a first threshold retention force is exceeded, the mouthguard having a second side including a female fitting; and a tether strap having a first end including a male fitting removably insertable into the female fitting of the lipguard and connected until a second threshold retention force is exceeded, wherein the second threshold retention force is lower than the first threshold retention force.
 9. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 8, wherein the male fittings of the tether strap and lipguard each have a head having a greater vertical height than a neck.
 10. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 9, wherein the head of the male fitting of the tether strap is smaller than the head of the male fitting of the lipguard.
 11. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 10, wherein the tether strap has a second end including a loop, wherein the tether strap first end includes a seat to which the neck is connected whereby the seat is dimensionally larger than an aperture of the female fitting such that the seat contacts the second side of the lipguard when the male fitting of tether strap is inserted into the female fitting of the lipguard.
 12. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 11, wherein the lipguard first end includes a seat to which the neck is connected whereby the seat is dimensionally larger than an aperture of the mouthguard female fitting such that the seat contacts the outer side of the mouthguard when the male fitting of the lipguard is inserted into the female fitting of the mouthguard.
 13. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first side of the lipguard has a concave shape and the second side of the lipguard has a convex shape, and wherein the boss has a length between the first side and the seat of the lipguard that ranges from about 5 to about 15 mm.
 14. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 13, wherein the first, outer surface including a female fitting is present on an insert that is fixedly connected to a front surface of the mouthguard.
 15. A protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly, comprising; a mouthguard having an outer wall and an inner wall connected by a tray adapted to contact one or more teeth of a user, the mouthguard having a first surface including a male fitting; a lipguard having a first side adapted to face a user, the first side including a female fitting into which the male fitting of the mouthguard is insertable and adapted to be retained until a threshold retention force is exceeded, the lipguard having a second side including a male fitting; and a tether strap having a first end including a female fitting into which the male fitting of the lipguard is removably insertable and retained until a second threshold retention force is exceeded.
 16. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 15, wherein the second threshold retention force is lower than the first threshold retention force.
 17. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 16, wherein the male fittings of the mouthguard and lipguard each have a head having a greater vertical height than a neck, and wherein the head of the male fitting of the lipguard is smaller than the head of the male fitting of the mouthguard.
 18. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 17, wherein the lipguard first side includes a boss extending outwardly from the first side, and wherein the female fitting is connected to a distal end of the boss.
 19. The protective mouthguard and lipguard assembly according to claim 18, wherein the first side of the lipguard has a concave shape and the second side of the lipguard has a convex shape, and wherein the boss has a length between the first side and the seat of the lipguard that ranges from about 5 to about 15 mm. 